(Friday Sermon - July 6, 2018 )

Hazrat Hubbab bin Munzir Bin Jumuh was a Companion who passed away during the Khilafat of Hazrat ‘Umar. He was with the Holy Prophet^(sa) during Badr, Uhud, Khandaq and all other battles. He remained resolute alongside the Holy Prophet^(sa) during the battle of Uhud and pledged to the Holy Prophet^(sa) to offer his life. (Usdul Ghaaba, Vol. 1, p. 665, Hubbab bin Munzir, Dar-ul-Kutub-ul-Ilmiyyah, Beirut), (At-Tabaqat Al-Kubra, Vol. 3, p. 428, Hubbab bin Munzir, Da-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, 1990, Beirut)

In relation to him, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad^(ra) has written in Seerat Khatam-un-Nabiyeen,

“The place where the Muslim army encamped was not ideal. At this, Habbab bin Munzir enquired of the Holy Prophet^(sa) as to whether he had selected this place according to Divine revelation or merely as a strategy of war. Upon this, the Holy Prophet^(sa) said, ‘No divine commandment has been received in this regard; if you wish to make a proposal, then please do so.’ Hubbab submitted, ‘Then in my opinion, this place is not ideal. It would be better to advance and take possession of the spring located closest to the Quraish. I am aware of this spring, and its water is quite pleasant and generally plentiful as well.’ The Holy Prophet^(sa) approved of this proposal and until then, since the Quraish were still encamped on the opposite side of the hillock, and the spring was unoccupied, the Muslims advanced and took possession of this spring. However, as mentioned in the Holy Quran, even at that time, the water of the spring was not as plentiful as usual, and the Muslims were faced with a shortage of water. In addition to this, the side of the valley where the Muslims were positioned was not ideal either, because it was very sandy, which made it difficult to maintain firm footing.

“Then, another grace of God was that there was some rainfall during the night as well, by which the Muslims found the opportunity to gather water in the form of reservoirs. Another benefit of this was that the sand hardened, which prevented their feet from sinking. Conversely, towards the side of the Quraish, it became muddy and their water also became dirty.” (Seerat Khatam-un-Nabiyeen, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahib^(ra), pp. 356-357)

Hazrat ibn ‘Abbas^(ra) states, “Hazrat Gabriel descended upon the Holy Prophet^(sa) and said: ‘Hazrat Hubbab bin Munzir’s suggestion is correct.’ The Holy Prophet^(sa) stated, ‘O Hubab your advice was wise.’” At the time of the Battle of Badr, Hazrat Hubbab bin Munzir was carrying the flag of the Khazraj tribe. He was thirty-three years old at the time. (At-Tabaqat Al-Kubra, Vol. 2, p. 10, Hubbab bin Munzir, Da-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, 1990, Beirut)

Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad^(ra) further writes about him in Seerat Khatam Al-Nabiyyeen, “When the Holy Prophet^(sa) received news from his informants that the army of the Quraish had reached nearby, he sent a companion named Hubbab bin Munzir to obtain information as to the enemy’s number and strength. Moreover, the Holy Prophet^(sa) also emphasised that if the strength of the enemy was greater than their own and the Muslims were in a state of danger, Hubbab should not announce this news openly upon his return in the gathering; rather, he should convey this news privately, so that no one was disheartened. Hubbab quietly left and returned with great skill in a short period of time submitting his report to the Holy Prophet^(sa).” (Seerat Khatam-un-Nabiyeen, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahib^(ra), p. 484)

Yahyah bin Sa‘d narrates, “On the day of Quraizah and the day of Al-Nazeer, when the Holy Prophet^(sa) sought counsel from people, Hazrat Hubbab bin Munzir stood up and said, ‘I am of the opinion that we settle down in the midst of the army camps, (that is, go to the location closest to the army in order to obtain intelligence and carry out better surveillance).’ The Holy Prophet^(sa) accepted his suggestion. He passed away during the Khilafat of Hazrat Umar.” (At-Tabaqat Al-Kubra, Vol. 3, p. 427-428, Hubbab bin Munzir, Da-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, 1990, Beirut)

When the Holy Prophet^(sa) passed away, the manner in which Hazrat Abu Bakr^(ra) controlled that entire situation and the condition of the Companions^(ra) has been mentioned as follows, “After praising the Lord, Hazrat Abu Bakr^(ra) stated, ‘Whoever worshiped Muhammad^(sa) should know that Muhammad^(sa) has surely passed away and whoever worshipped Allah should keep in mind that Allah is alive and shall never pass away.’ And Hazrat Abu Bakr then recited the following verse:

إِنَّکَ مَیِّتٌ وَإِنَّہُمْ مَیِّتُونَ

 “Surely thou wilt die, and surely they too will die.”

“Then he recited the following verse of the Holy Quran:

وَ مَا مُحَمَّدٌ اِلَّا رَسُوۡلٌ ۚ قَدۡ خَلَتۡ مِنۡ قَبۡلِہِ الرُّسُلُ ؕ اَفَا۠ئِنۡ مَّاتَ اَوۡ قُتِلَ انۡقَلَبۡتُمۡ عَلٰۤی اَعۡقَابِکُمۡ ؕ وَ مَنۡ یَّنۡقَلِبۡ عَلٰی عَقِبَیۡہِ فَلَنۡ یَّضُرَّ اللّٰہَ شَیۡئًا ؕ وَ سَیَجۡزِی اللّٰہُ الشّٰکِرِیۡنَ

“And Muhammad is only a Messenger. Verily, all Messengers have passed away before him. If then he die or be slain, will you turn back on your heels? And he who turns back on his heels shall not harm Allah at all. And Allah will certainly reward the grateful.” (The Holy Quran, 3:145)

“Sulaiman mentions that upon hearing this, people began to weep profusely. Sulaiman further narrates that some Ansar companions gathered around Hazrat Sa‘d Bin Abaadah at the house of Bani Sa‘adah and said to him, ‘There shall be one leader amongst us, and one leader amongst you.’ Hazrat Abu Bakr^(ra), Hazrat Umar Bin Khattab^(ra) and Hazrat Abu Ubaidah bin al-Jarrah came to them. Hazrat Umar^(ra) was about to speak when Hazrat Abu Bakr^(ra)instructed him to stop. Hazrat Umar^(ra) would narrate [at a later stage], ‘I swear by Allah, I had prepared a speech for what I intended to say and I was pleased by it, but I was afraid that Hazrat Abu Bakr would not be able to deliver a similar speech. However, Hazrat Abu Bakr delivered a speech which was more eloquent than the speech of any other person.’ During his speech he also stated, ‘We are the leaders, and you are ministers.’ Upon hearing this Hubbab Bin Munzar said, ‘It can never be so, by God it can never be so.’

I am mentioning this because the name of Hubbab Bin Munzir has been mentioned in these accounts. Upon hearing this Hubbab Bin Munzir said, “It can never be so, by God! it can never be so. By God! We will never permit for this to happen. There will be one leader from us and one leader from amongst you.” That is to say that there would be one leader amongst the Quraish and one leader amongst the Ansar. Hazrat Abu Bakr^(ra) replied, “No, we are the leaders and you are the ministers, because with respect to lineage and ancient tradition, the Quraish hold precedence over all other tribes of Arabia. Therefore, take initiation at the hand of Umar or Abu Ubaidah.” Hazrat Umar^(ra) said, “No, rather we will take initiation at your hand because you are our chief, the best amongst us and you were dearer to the Holy Prophet^(sa) than any of us.” After saying this, he held the hand of Hazrat Abu Bakr^(ra) and took initiation at his hand. Seeing this, others followed and eventually everyone took initiation at his hand. (Sahih Al Bukhari, Kitabul Fazail Ashaab An Nabi, Hadith No.3668)

Hazrat Hubbab bin Munzir narrates, “Hazrat Jibrael^(as) came to the Holy Prophet^(sa) and said: ‘What is more preferred to you; that you remain in this world with your companions, or to return to your Lord, where you will be granted everlasting provisions in paradise that have been vouchsafed to you. Furthermore, all that which you desire and everything that is a means of providing satisfaction to you will also be granted.’ The Holy Prophet^(sa) turned to his companions and asked: ‘What is your opinion?’ The Companions said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! We prefer that you stay with us so that you can inform us of the weaknesses of our enemies; then pray to God Almighty to grant His succour to defeat them; likewise, you can confer to us Divine revelation.’” The Holy Prophet^(sa) then turned to Hubbab bin Munzir and said, “What is your opinion? You are very quiet.” At this Hubbab bin Munzir replied, “O Messenger of Allah! You should choose that path which God Almighty has preferred for you.” Hazrat Hubbab says that the Holy Prophet^(sa) accepted this statement of mine.” (Al-Mustadrak Ala Al-Sahihain, Vol. 3, p. 483, Darul Kutubul Ilmiyya, Beirut, 2002)